Republic of the Philippines

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FOURTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL N O. 2224

_______________________________________________________________________________________
Introduced by Representatives SATUR C. OCAMPO, TEODORO A. CASIÑO, CRISPIN B. BELTRAN,
LIZA L. MAZA and LUZVIMINDA C. ILAGAN
______________________________________________________________________________________

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill aims to keep the country's food and agriculture free from genetically modified
organisms (GMO) at this time when there are still unresolved questions as to their possible
adverse effects on human health and the environment.

Genetic engineering in food crops is relatively new. However, there have been many
cases discovered which should tell us that genetically modified products could seriously harm
human beings and the environment. Several studies abroad have raised the problems of
toxicity, allergy and environmental damage. Cases of contamination of crops have also been
recorded in farms adjacent to those raising genetically engineered crops.

Yet, the threat from genetically engineered crops and food products is fast rising in the
Philippines. A number of food products sold in our supermarkets and groceries have been
found to contain GMOs. Monsanto, a transnational corporation, has started its field testing of
Bt corn in the Philippines despite opposition from local government units and farmers in
affected localities.

We cannot underestimate the known and suspected environmental and health risks
inherent in the unchecked race to embrace the unproven technology of genetic engineering.
Other countries in the world have acted through legislation to protect their citizens and
environment from the threat of genetically engineered crops and food. Clearly, we must do the
same.

The filing of this bill does not mean that its authors are against the use of science and
technology in food and agriculture. On the contrary, the proponents of this bill firmly believe in
using science to serve the people and society. But they are strongly opposed to the use of
science that will benefit only a few and worse, harm people and damage the environment.

Norwegian virologist Terje Traavik best sums up the serious danger of the unregulated
entry and use of genetically engineered crops and products: "Too early may be too late when
the genie has been released, you've lost control of it and don't know how to get it back into the
lamp."

In view of these reasons, approval of this bill is immediately sought.

Approved,

SATUR C. OCAMPO TEODORO A. CASIÑO CRISPIN B. BELTRAN

Bayan Muna Party-List Bayan Muna Party-List Anakpawis Party-List

LIZA L. MAZA LUZVIMINDA C. ILAGAN

Gabriela Women’s Party Gabriela Women’s Party
 Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FOURTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL N O. 2224

_______________________________________________________________________________________
Introduced by Representatives SATUR C. OCAMPO, TEODORO A. CASIÑO, CRISPIN B. BELTRAN,
LIZA L. MAZA and LUZVIMINDA C. ILAGAN
______________________________________________________________________________________

AN ACT
PROHIBITING THE ENTRY, SALE, PROCESSING, FIELD TESTING AND RELEASE OF CROPS AND FOOD
PRODUCTS CONTAINING GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS (GMO)
INTO AND WITHIN THE COUNTRY AND IMPOSING PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION THEREOF

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress

assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. This Act shall be known as the "GMO-Free Food and Agriculture Act
of 2007."

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. It is hereby declared the policy of the State to protect and
advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm
and harmony of nature.

To this end, the State shall follow the precautionary principle in relation to the field
testing of genetically-engineered crops and the processing and distribution of seeds, crops
and food products consisting of, containing or derived from genetically modified organisms
(GMOs) so as to protect the people, the country's agriculture and environment for the sake of
present and future generations. The possible harmful effects of genetically modified crops and
food on human health and environment are irreversible. Thus, the burden of proof as to the
safe use of GMOs must be on the advocates of genetic engineering in food and agriculture.

SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. For purposes of this Act, the following terms shall be
understood as follows:

1. "Genetic engineering" is the term given to the manipulation in the laboratory of the
genetic code of a living organism, plant or animal. It involves taking bits of DNA from
one species, and putting it into the DNA of another, in order to mimic certain desired
characteristics.

2. "DNA" refers to deoxyribonucleic acid, a very long molecular structure, consisting of a

string of units or genes that encode all the information regarding the structure and
functioning of a living organism for its entire lifespan, as well as the biological
information that is passed on from one generation to the next.

3. "Genetically modified organism” (GMO) means an organism in which the genetic

 material has been altered or modified in a way that does not occur naturally by mating
and/or natural recombination.

4. "Organism" means any biological entity capable of replication or of transferring genetic

material.

5. "Entry" means the importation or bringing in of a product or products into the country.

6. "Sale" refers to the act of selling and/or supplying and/or making a product available to
other parties.

7. “Processing" means the manufacture, breeding, preparation and other activities which
through physical or chemical process alter the exterior texture or form or inner
substance of a product in such manner as to prepare it for special use to which it could
not have been put in its original form or condition.

8. "Field testing" refers to the deliberate release or intentional introduction into a

controlled environment of a GMO or a combination of GMOs with provisions for
containment such as physical barriers, or a combination of physical barriers together
with chemical and/or biological barriers used to limit their contact with the general
population and the environment.

9. "Risk assessment" means the evaluation of the direct and indirect risks to human
health and the environment which the deliberate release of GMOs into the environment
may pose.

10. "National Committee on Biosafety of the Philippines" refers to an attached agency of

the Department of Science and Technology created by virtue of Executive Order 430
(s.1990) and tasked, among others, to identify potential risks associated with
experiments involving GMOs and to recommend measures to minimize such risks.

SECTION 4. Prohibition period. The entry, sale, processing, field testing, release and similar
acts, of products consisting of, containing or derived from genetically modified organisms
(GMOs) into and within the country, shall be prohibited in the Philippines.

SECTION 5. Exempting Clause. Studies on crops and products containing genetically

modified organisms by the independent panel of scientists to be selected and supervised by
the National Committee on Biosafety of the Philippines (NCBP) and Bureau of Food and Drugs
(BFAD) together with concerned non-government and people’s organizations shall be
exempted from this prohibition.

SECTION 6. Existing GMO Products. The NCBP, in coordination with BFAD and non-
government organizations involved in monitoring genetically modified crops and products, is
hereby directed to determine the presence of products consisting of, containing or derived
from GMOs which have been brought into the Philippines prior to the effectivity of this Act, and
thereafter issue a list of said products to the public, make a risk assessment of the same and
come out with recommendations on the proper disposition of such products. The subsequent
entry, sale, processing, field testing, release and similar acts, of such products in the list shall
be prohibited indefinitely until such time that said products have been declared free from
genetically modified organisms.
SECTION 7. Monitoring. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Bureau of
Customs (BOC) shall closely monitor the entry, sale, and processing of products consisting of,
containing or derived from genetically engineered organisms.

SECTION 8. Penalties. Any person or persons found violating the provisions of this Act shall
be penalized with imprisonment of not less than five (5) years and not more than fifteen (15)
years and a fine of not less than One Hundred Thousand Pesos but not more than One Million
Pesos, at the discretion of the court depending on the gravity of the offense. Repetition of the
offense shall entail maximum limit of the penalty and the fine.

SECTION 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. The NCBP and BFAD shall formulate
and publish the implementing rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act,
within ninety (90) days from its enactment.

SECTION 10. Separability Clause. If any provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional and
the application thereof to any person, circumstance or transaction is held invalid, the validity of
the remaining provisions of this Act or the applicability of such provision to other persons,
circumstances or transactions shall not be affected thereby.

SECTION 11. Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations
and other issuances or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed
or modified accordingly.

SECTION 12. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,